Ikwo/Izzi crisis: Govt gives Warlords 7 days to release abducted children
The governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has condemned in totality the renewed crisis between the people of Enyibichiri of Ikwo LGA and Enyimgba of Abakaliki LGA and has issued 7days ultimatum to the abductors of children abducted during the crisis.
The governor made this known in statement made available to The Voice by the state commissioner for information and state orientation Barr. Uchenna Orji in Abakaliki on Monday, 7,June 2021.
Gov.Umahi stated that the abduction of the children of Enyigba Abakaliki by some miscreants from Enyibichiri Ikwo was the height of provocation as there was no dispute between the two communities.
He stated that political stakeholders from Ikwo who were arrested following the abduction of the children from Enyimba in Abakaliki LGA will not be released until the victims regain freedom from their abductors.
The governor vowed to embark on mass arrest in Enyibichibiri community if the abductors fail to release the children.
Umahi called on all indegenes of Izzi to remain calm and peaceful, and desist from taking laws into their hands , while he assured them that the state government will not rest until the abducted children are reunited with their families.
Gov.Umahi pointed out that the aged long land dispute between the two communities had been settled by the government with the assistance of the Christian Associaton of Nigeria (CAN) and the Bishops in Ebonyi State, which took the state over three years to find lasting peace in the area, and wondered why such barbaric should be displayed by some hoodlums in Enyibichibiri community of Ikwo LGA .
The statement reads, ” It is to be noted that Ebonyi State government through CAN went as far as hiring heavy-duty equipment working on the disputed land for three months and a final demarcation was successfully done and same accepted by both parties.”
“Government, therefore, wonders why the abduction of innocent children of Enyigba Izzi, should be hatched and executed by just a few miscreants of Enyibichiri Ikwo.”
“The Governor assures the entire Izzi clan that the entire Enyibichiri and Ikwo people at large totally condemn this act as evil.”
“The Governor vows to rescue and reunite these children to their families at all costs and therefore pleads with our Izzi brothers and sisters to please remain calm and prevent their children from taking laws into their hands while promising them that within 7 days, this matter about the abduction of their children will be amicably resolved.”
“The Governor is very hopeful that with his government, religious leaders and good stakeholders of Ebonyi State, these children will be returned to the people of Izzi without any harm. The Governor, therefore, pleads with abductors to kindly release the children to the government within the next 7days from this 6th of June,2021 with a promise of total amnesty to them.”
“Government is not willing to release any of the leaders of Enyibichiri, that are in detention to underscore the value of the lives of those abducted. The Governor believes that every life is sacred, and the life of those abducted matters so much to the government.”
“Government, therefore, warns the abductors of the consequences of not providing these children in the next seven (7) days, as government shall have no option other than to move into Enyibichiri to make a massive arrest to get back the children.”
“The Governor, therefore, admonishes the parents of the abductors, both the immediate and extended families, that they are well known and pleads with them to talk to their children to release those innocent children. He further warns that should they fail, refuse and or neglect to do that, the government will fish them out, no matter where they run to”.
“The Governor appeals to parents in Ebonyi State to please advise their children to be law-abiding as any further killings in Ebonyi State, burning of police stations, attack on security agencies or innocent citizens, where we cannot apprehend those involved, we will go for their family members.”
” Government has given enough room and a lot of incentives and empowerment packages for our youths to turn away from crimes and not take laws into their hands. The grace period is over and it is time for parents to advise their children, or submit the names of such children that they cannot control to the government.”
“Government warns all political gladiators irrespective of political party affiliation who, through their fake news, and various media outbursts either initiate this crisis in the state or get involved in inciting crisis or escalating it, that government will not fold its hands but will go after them no matter where they are.”
“Government warns that any news you are posting or circulating, you should be able to prove it.
The government is pleading that we as leaders of Ebonyi State should not play with the lives of our youths or our citizens for whatsoever gains, as everyone will give an account before God of whatever blood that is shed.”
” While the security challenges are being sorted out, the Governor requests the good people of Ebonyi State to go about their normal businesses as the government is doing everything possible to protect their lives and properties.”
